Which is the priority nursing diagnosis for a patient with shallow respirations following abdominal surgery?

Choice A rationale:

Ineffective breathing pattern related to incisional pain and anesthesia is the priority nursing diagnosis for a patient with shallow respirations following abdominal surgery because it addresses the most immediate and life-threatening concern: impaired gas exchange.

Choice A rationale:

A patient's last bowel movement being 4 days ago does not directly increase their risk of pulmonary embolism (PE). While constipation can be a risk factor for deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which can lead to PE, it is not a significant risk factor on its own.

It's important to assess for other risk factors for DVT, such as immobility, recent surgery, or a history of blood clots, in conjunction with constipation.

Choice C rationale:

A platelet count of 45,000/mm^3 is low (thrombocytopenia), but it does not directly increase the risk of PE.

In fact, a low platelet count can sometimes hinder clot formation. However, it's important to monitor patients with thrombocytopenia for bleeding risks, as they may be more prone to bleeding complications.

Choice D rationale:

While receiving a transfusion of two units of packed red blood cells can increase blood viscosity, which could theoretically slightly increase the risk of PE, it is not a major risk factor.

Patients who receive transfusions are often already at an elevated risk of PE due to other underlying conditions or surgeries. It's essential to assess for other risk factors in these patients.